Synopsis
She's on top, which is where she likes to be - especially when it comes to men. Since giving her fiance his ring back a year ago, Laura has kept her relationships light, and short. Sexy pilot Smoke Hamilton might be hot, but she doesn't need a Mr Right, just Mr Right Now. She doesn't need a man holding her down.
From the moment he first saw her, Smoke knew Laura was his kind of sexy. What he hadn't banked on was her being his kind of smart, with a sassy mouth too. He usually prefers his women 'nice and easy', but Laura is a challenge. Smoke has always been a sucker for a challenge, he just can't leave them alone til he's conquered them.
Conquering Laura is a risk, she's Jack's cousin, Jack is not only his friend, but his employer too. Still she's a risk he has to take. As a pilot, his career comes first, and always gives him the option to fly away. He'll never let a woman tie him down again.
The chemistry between them definitely has the sparks flying, but will the scars of the past only lead them to crash and burn?
Excerpt
“Laura,” said Holly, “This is Smoke, Phoenix Chief Pilot and an old friend of Jack and Pete's. Smoke, this is Laura Benson, Jack's cousin.”
She held out her hand, he shook it as her gaze met his. Hot damn! She was gorgeous. Her bright blue eyes sparkled with fun and laughter as she smiled at him. Her long slender fingers, wrapped around his, made him want her long arms wrapped around his neck—and her long slender legs wrapped around him too, for that matter!
He was vaguely aware that the girls were getting on the waiting golf cart. He should let go of Laura's hand, but all he could do was keep staring at her beautiful face. She wasn't letting go of his hand either. He heard Holly saying “Go, go, go.” The spell was broken as Laura turned away from him.
The golf cart pulled away with three giggling women on it.
“Sorry, sweetie, no room.” Missy waved happily at them.
Smoke grinned as Laura turned back to him and rolled her eyes. “No-one could ever accuse that bunch of being subtle, sorry!”
He laughed. “Subtle no, perceptive, definitely. And I for one am grateful.” More than just grateful. He couldn't believe his luck. She was smiling at him. Damn, she was beautiful!
“Oh, don't get me wrong. I'm grateful too. I'm just not quite sure what to do with it.”
“Well, the way I see it, we could miss an opportunity because we're both taken by surprise, or we can think on our feet and make the most of the few moments we have.”
A touch of color appeared on her cheeks as she looked up at the plane and then back at him. Damn, she had a dirty mind! She looked surprised, but definitely interested. But no, he'd want more than a few moments in the back of the plane with this woman. He'd want a whole night in a big bed.
He pursed his lips and gave her a knowing smile. “When I say we can use these moments wisely, I mean you can give me your number, so I can call you and we can see where this goes.”
She laughed, looking a little embarrassed. “Of course you do.” She reached into her purse and took a business card from her wallet. As he tried to take it from her, she held on to the corner, not letting go. He met her gaze. “You only get it if you really want it, Captain. Don't take it if you don't.”
He flicked his wrist and pulled the card from her grasp. He held it up with a smile. “I really want it, Laura.” He was gratified to see the little pink stains on her cheeks deepen when he added. “And I will take it.”
She put her hands on her hips and smiled, the sexiest smile he'd ever seen. “I want it too, Smoke.” His throat went dry again when she asked, “So, are you going to give it to me?”
He was glad that the black slacks of his pilot's uniform were loose fitting, otherwise she'd see how much he'd like to give it to her!
She threw her head back and laughed. “Get your mind out of the gutter and give me your number, Smoke!”
He laughed with her as he took his wallet from his back pocket and handed her his card. “I will call you, but I need to warn you, my schedule is a little crazy. I don't know when I'll be able to get back here, but it will be as soon as I can.”
She nodded. “That's okay. My life is a little hectic too. I'm sure we'll get around to it.”
Smoke intended to make damned sure they did. “Do you ever get up to Summer Lake?” he asked.
“I'll be going back and forth until Jack and Emma get married, since I'm one of the bridesmaids. Will you be going to the wedding?”
Smoke nodded. “I will.” The golf cart was approaching. Her friends would be waiting. He took her hand again. She smiled. “I'm so glad to meet you, Laura.”
She gave his hand a squeeze. “You too, Smoke.” She climbed onto the golf cart. “I'll see you at the wedding if not before,” she called as she rode away.
Smoke stared after her.
My Rating:
Favorite Quotes:
“Summer Lake is like this magical realm. Once you come here you are assigned your very own hot man, and you get to live here and have a wonderful little life.”
My Review
I read all four books to complete this review – 1,121 pages. It was a slow start, and I almost gave it up nearly a quarter of the way into the first book, as it seemed so tame and chaste. I told my mother I thought I may have stumbled on a book for her and her Sunday School ladies book club. Really glad I didn’t send her the links as it finally started to heat up half way through book one, and the temperature and story line was much more to my liking. Each book focuses on a different couple finding love from the same basic core group of friends. Despite the rocky start, I enjoyed all four books and wonder who the next targeted couple will be. The story lines are easy to follow and deliciously steamy, yet honestly, this is definitely fantasy romance as no mature person would put up with the nonsense these woman and men give each other as they are getting over their various “relationship” issues. It does sound like an ideal place to live, I’d like to give it a try to find my own assigned rich, well endowed, sexually talented, handsome “hot man.”
Empress DJ
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Check out the Summer Lake Series Now
Each Summer Lake Romance can be read as a stand alone book – no cliff hangers here! Each book contains one couple's story. However, they are best read in order to get full enjoyment of the underlying story and friendships.
Book 1: Love Like You've Never Been Hurt Emma and Jack
Book 2: Work Like You Don't Need the Money Pete and Holly
Book 3: Dance Like Nobody's Watching Missy and Dan
Synopsis
This book is intended for adult readers 18+
The Summer Lake contemporary romance series follows a group of friends from a small lakeside town in the California hills. They have kept in touch over the years and now, in their early thirties, their lives are drawing them back to Summer Lake and to each other.
Love Like You've Never Been Hurt
Emma Douglas came to Summer Lake as an orphan twenty three years ago. After losing her parents so young and later suffering a disastrous marriage, she believes that love only ever leads to pain and loss.
When she meets Jack Benson, the business partner of her childhood friend Pete, she sees everything she used to long for in a man; tall, dark, and drop dead gorgeous! Despite their undeniable attraction, Emma is too scared to risk her heart, especially on a man so much like her ex - sexy, smart, funny, successful and no doubt the same kind of cheat!
When events lead them both to Summer Lake for the summer, will Jack be able to persuade her that he's nothing like her ex in all the ways that really matter? That the love she used to dream of isn't a little girl's fantasy, but a reality they can share if she can get past her fear and learn to trust?
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Holly Hayes is a realist, if nothing else. She's going to be Maid of Honor at her best friend, Emma's wedding in Summer Lake. Pete Hemming, self made millionaire, powerful CEO, all around good guy, is going to be the Best Man. If they're going to be able to get through their official duties, there's one thing they'll need to deal with first. Sex!
He may be out of her league socially and financially, but one thing is clear. He wants her. She wants him. What's the harm in one night of passion? It's inevitable they're going to end up naked together. So it's best to get it out of the way early, right? So they can get on with organizing the wedding.
Pete Hemming is a man with a plan. He's lived his life by the plan, built his business by it. The plan doesn't allow for a woman in his life, only in his bed. Trouble is, once he gets Holly into his bed, he can't get her out of his mind. But he can't let her into his life, can he?
The Summer Lake series follows a group of friends from a small lakeside town in the California hills. They have kept in touch over the years and now, in their early thirties, their lives are drawing them back to Summer Lake and to each other.
This book is intended for adult readers 18+
Buy Now
Missy Malone has had a great summer, watching her friends meet wonderful guys and fall in love. She even has a wonderful guy in her own life. Trouble is, he's only in her life to mentor her son, Scot. She just has to stop daydreaming that he could be as good for her as he is for Scot. What would he ever see in her anyway? She's a broke single mom who talks too much, while he's a quiet, shy, tech genius. And besides...he has a girlfriend!
On paper, Dan Benson has a great life in San Jose. His software development company, his penthouse apartment, his car, and his girlfriend are all supposed to make him feel happy and successful. None of them do. Until he started visiting Summer Lake, he'd always been more comfortable around computers than people. These days he's comfortable hanging out with his brother, Jack, and his friends. He feels successful when he's helping Scot. Most of all, he's happier than he's ever been, when he can spend time with Missy.
Will the attraction between them be enough to overcome the differences and obstacles that stand in their way?
The Summer Lake series follows a group of friends from a small lakeside town in the California hills. They have kept in touch over the years and now, in their early thirties, their lives are drawing them back to Summer Lake and to each other.
This book is intended for adult readers 18+
Buy Now
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